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"I see..."

After listening to Frieren's explanation of the demons, Utaha Kasumigaoka's lips turned pale, her body trembling uncontrollably with fear.

The child she had sympathized with and wanted to help was actually a monster wearing human skin, intending to devour her!

Realizing this, the chill of near-death washed over her, her back cold with dread.

Rei Ao, noticing her reaction, chuckled and teased, "Earlier, the way you looked at me was full of fear and distrust. Has that changed now?"

Utaha froze, her body stiffening before she hurriedly turned to Rei Ao and bowed deeply.

"I'm sorry."

"We didn't know anything earlier and wrongfully judged you."

"And thank you for saving me."

Utaha was fully aware of her behavior. Being saved warranted both an apology and gratitude.

"As long as you're okay, that's what matters," Rei Ao said with a wave of his hand.

"Since I brought you all here, protecting you is my responsibility."

He surveyed the area, ensuring there were no further threats.

"I don't see any other demons around for now. Utaha, you should rest here for a while and don't wander off."

"Okay," Utaha agreed softly, nodding.

Her nerves were frayed. The bloody scene she had just witnessed wouldn't leave her mind, and she needed time to calm herself.

Shizue Izawa took over to watch over her as she rested, while Sui and Frieren began exchanging knowledge about magic.

Meanwhile, Rei Ao pulled Megumi Kato aside.

He wrapped an arm around her and asked curiously, "Megumi, you and Sui noticed the anomaly earlier. Why didn't you let Sui deal with it right away?"

He was referring to how they had identified the demon's behavior but hadn't acted immediately.

Megumi blinked her clear eyes and responded calmly, "I had a feeling that you would step in to save the day, Rei Ao. It felt like it would be a quicker way to connect with Utaha's heart."

"Huh?"

Rei Ao was momentarily dumbfounded.

Wasn't that just the classic 'hero saves the beauty' trope mixed with the suspension bridge effect?

It was an effective and straightforward approach.

But coming from Megumi, it caught him off guard.

"Megumi, are you trying to create competition for yourself?"

"No," Megumi replied, shaking her head gently. "I'm just trying to make more sisters for myself."

She turned to meet his eyes, her expression unusually serious as she continued.

"To be honest, the ability to travel between worlds scares me a little."

"Don't worry. I won't carelessly get myself killed in another world," Rei Ao reassured her, thinking she was afraid he might die.

But that wasn't what Megumi meant.

She shook her head again.

"What scares me more is the thought that one day, Rei Ao, you might leave and never come back."

She elaborated on her concerns.

"Right now, the world-traveling feature has time limits."

"But if someday those limits disappear, what if you decide to stay in another world and don't want to return?"

Her grip on him tightened unconsciously, as if afraid he might vanish before her eyes.

"So, I hope that in our world, you'll find more things to hold on to—more bonds that make you want to stay here just a little bit more than anywhere else."

Pressing closer to his chest, she listened to his heartbeat.

"I just want to stay by your side forever."

"..."

Rei Ao was deeply moved by her heartfelt words.

Rather than being excited that she didn't mind him having other women, what made him happiest was Megumi's sincere and profound feelings.

"Megumi, I can promise you this: even if I leave this world someday, I will take all of you with me. I won't leave anyone behind."

For such a tender and loving girl, Rei Ao didn't mind making the highest promise.

"I trust you," Megumi whispered, standing on her tiptoes.

And with that, they sealed their vow with a kiss.

…

In the time that followed, after Frieren had finished observing Sui and Shizue Izawa's magic, Rei Ao assigned them to train with Megumi Kato in the forest by hunting some magical creatures.

Frieren's strength alone was enough to let her roam this world virtually unchecked. With Sui and Izawa accompanying Megumi, there wasn't much to worry about.

Meanwhile, Frieren eagerly resumed her observations of Rei Ao's various powers, hoping to find inspiration for her magical research.

Utaha Kasumigaoka sat quietly nearby, staring blankly at the pair, lost in her thoughts. The earlier incident had taken a toll on her.

"Rei Ao, your powers are truly unique."

After another round of observations, Frieren looked slightly dejected.

"I don't understand any of it," she admitted, for the first time feeling utterly baffled.

Her vast knowledge of magic seemed completely irrelevant. Every one of Rei Ao's powers seemed to stem directly from him as a source, with no discernible energy flow. It was entirely different from constructing magic using magical particles.

"I can't make sense of it at all," Frieren sighed.

Even so, the trade between them was completed.

[Ding! Trade complete!]

[Ding! You have obtained "Elven Bloodline" and "Elven Magic."]

[Ding! Your body is too noble to be tainted. Detecting compatibility with existing ability "Elf King"—fusing abilities!]

[Ding! You have gained the ability "Elf King."]

The name of the ability remained unchanged, but it now included some peculiar knowledge of elven magic—such as magic for brewing hot tea, creating shaved ice, or removing stubborn grease stains.

Rei Ao's comment on this was: "As expected of Frieren."

"Sigh, it's a shame I couldn't learn anything from you," Frieren lamented.

In contrast, her interactions with Sui and Izawa had sparked numerous new ideas for her magic.

"By the way, the time limit is about to expire. Rei Ao, could you call them back?"

"Sure," Rei Ao replied but suddenly turned his gaze toward a direction in the woods.

"But before that, we need to greet some visitors who seem to be passing by."

"Oh? I sense them too," Frieren said, gripping her staff as she began charging a spell.

Noticing this, Utaha Kasumigaoka sensed that something was wrong and shuffled behind the two of them for protection.

In the distance, bushes rustled.

"Are they demons or monsters?" Frieren narrowed her eyes.

"Neither," Rei Ao replied. "They're human."

"Don't attack! We mean no harm," came a clear voice.

Three figures emerged from the bushes: a blue-haired boy with a sword and a cape, a green-haired man in priest attire with a weathered look, and a dwarf with brown hair and a steel battle axe.

Rei Ao recognized them instantly.

It was the Hero's Party, led by none other than the hero Himmel himself. His childhood friend, Priest Heiter, and the dwarven warrior Eisen were also with him.

These were the companions destined to defeat the Demon King alongside Frieren.

"Humans, then," Frieren muttered, lowering her brewing spell.

Upon seeing Frieren, Himmel's eyes flashed with recognition.

Heiter whispered to him, "Himmel, she's an elven grand mage."

This information was crucial because their party lacked a powerful mage.

"Understood," Himmel replied, stepping forward to introduce himself.

"Hello, my name is Himmel, and these are my companions, Heiter and Eisen."

"Himmel?" Frieren repeated, narrowing her eyes.

The name sounded familiar.

"Are you the current Hero?"

Himmel gave a helpless smile. "Many people seem to think so."

"Oh. If you're just passing by, don't mind us," Frieren said, losing interest.

However, Himmel stepped closer, bowing slightly toward Rei Ao before addressing Frieren directly.

"I'd like to invite you to join our party to help us defeat the Demon King. We're in need of a powerful mage like you."

"Defeat... the Demon King?" Frieren's usually calm eyes flickered with emotion.

It wasn't the invitation itself that stirred her but rather the mention of the Demon King.

However, defeating the Demon King wasn't her ultimate goal.

What she truly wanted was…

Rei Ao's calm voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Can you exterminate all demons?"

Both Frieren and Himmel looked at him in surprise.

After a moment of contemplation, Himmel responded honestly.

"Apologies, but with our current strength, I don't think we can eradicate all demons."

Demons were scattered across the world, and even locating them all would be an impossible task.

"All we can do is defeat the Demon King, his seven Archdemons, and the Demon King's army to weaken their overall power."

Himmel was self-aware and humble.

Rei Ao said no more, leaving the decision to Frieren.

She narrowed her eyes as if she'd realized something, then gave her answer.

"Apologies, but what I wish to do is to destroy every last demon."

"I see..." Himmel said, his expression briefly falling before he smiled kindly.

"Then I hope you achieve your goal."

"Let's go."

He didn't press the issue further, passing by them without protest.

Heiter and Eisen exchanged glances before silently following their leader.

~~~

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